Frigid Beaches, Hot Bikinis

Every so often I make a trip up to Chicago (LOVE that city!).  While I’m there I usually try to make the most of my visit by scheduling some photo shoots.  The last time I was there was in early May.  I decided it would be a good idea to do a beach shoot at sunrise to get some swimwear shots in for my book since summer was right around the corner.  Well…a few numb toes and purple lips later…I was wondering if maybe that wasn’t such a good idea!

Since I was already out in the windy cold waters, I figured I might as well go through with it.  After all, if I would’ve decided to end the shoot, then I would’ve endured the icy coldness for nothing!  I’m going to get at least one good shot out of this damn it!  (Besides, it’s common that most swimwear shoots happen in the spring time – if not earlier – because that’s when all the ads for summer fashions come out.  I seemed to have initially learned that from watching America’s Next Top Model…I believe it was the very first season and they made the models do that swimwear shoot on top of the building in the freezing cold wind!).

So anyway…I shifted into some serious mental focusing and endured the frigid Chicago beach.  So you better frickin’ like these photos! Lol

(I’ll be posting more on my Facebook)

 

Here are some more we did.  I was wearing a jumpsuit by Nikki Blaine Couture.

Do you like my literal interpretation of modeling a “jumpsuit”? haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last set of the day!  It had warmed up a little by then

 

(photos by Joseph William)

 

Here’s some we took just goofing around:

FREEZING! (…and so was Sugar Bear!)

“It’s High Fashion”

I ♥ Chicago & Some Things to Consider if You’re an Aspiring Model

I love Chicago!  My heart always skips a beat that moment when I first drive up over the Skyway and catch that first glimpse of the city.  Someday I’d love to have a summer home there (I try to stay clear during the winter months…it gets ridiculously freezing in the Windy City!)

I’m always thrilled when I book jobs in Chicago.  This past week I worked two tradeshows and had three photo shoots.  It was an exhausting five days!  Not to mention the sunrise shoot where I had to get up at 2:00 a.m.!  That was crazy! I will be posting about that experience with photos in an upcoming blog post …so make sure you’re subscribed!

It was a goal of mine at the beginning of the year to get signed with an agency and recently I signed with Heyman Talent.  My first acting gig through them is coming up in June!  It’s a small speaking role in an independent film.  Anyway, my next move is to sign with an agency in Chicago.  It’s a bigger market and would give me more work opportunities.

Kris, one of the photographers I worked with on this trip, was very helpful in giving me some direction on where to focus my modeling career.   Unfortunately, the Midwest isn’t a major market for high fashion work.  It does, however, have a lot of opportunities for commercial and lifestyle.   So part of my goal is to build up more of that style of work in my book (my portfolio that potential clients would look at to help determine if they’d like to hire me).

Kris also used to model and was out in NYC for a year but decided she’d rather create images as a photographer.   She said most high-end clients want to see clean, minimal style images when deciding to book a model.   So…hopefully the shots we did together will not only be helpful in signing with an agency in Chicago but also will be very useful for my book.

By the way…I had a really great conversation with Kris as we were driving back from the last location of our shoot.  Since the beginning of my pursuit of modeling I’ve wanted to do high fashion work.  I’ve learned a lot about the industry since then and one of the things I was disappointed to find out is that most fashion models’ careers are coming to an end at my age.  I’ve always been very strong-willed (just ask my mom haha) and wasn’t about to let the status quo keep me from pursuing my dreams (there are always exceptions, right?)  It was something I really wanted.  I’ve battled for years with this notion and often would find myself feeling depressed with thoughts wondering if I’d ever make it.  It sometimes seems like this impossible thing and maybe I was spinning my wheels.  There have been times where I’ve felt almost panicked because I feel like I’m racing against time.

Upon learning about Kris’s modeling ventures in New York…I wanted to pick her brain.  She said the industry out there is very competitive…and you basically have to be 14 years old and a size 0 (if not 00…and at the height requirements…that’s skinny).  And even then, only the top models really make any money…the other 80% make an average $30,000/year…if you’re lucky and book a campaign.   Plus, she said the agencies pretty much encourage eating disorders.  At one of her modeling gigs in NYC, she said there were girls eating cotton balls!  It can be fun, but it’s not as glamorous as people might think…  It’s not for everyone she explained.

I suddenly felt a ton of weight lift off my shoulders and I could finally breathe easy!  I never thought I would be, but I feel good about the decision to not hold on so tightly to the dream of a career in high fashion.   I’m not “giving up” …I think sometimes as you go along in life, you realize some things are just not realistic or obtainable  and you have to adjust your goals to maintain a sense of sanity (obviously I can’t compete with 14-year-olds who are size 0…I wouldn’t want to anyway…I’m already skinny enough at size 4!).  Just doesn’t seem worth it to me considering the chances of being a top fashion model in NYC.  And besides, I’ve read and heard that there’s more money to be made doing commercial and lifestyle work (and in lifestyle, depending on if the gig is for a vacation magazine for example, they’ll fly you to an exotic resort for the shoot).   So, I’m still pursing modeling…just not in the high fashion realm.  But hey…certainly I wouldn’t turn down a high fashion gig if the opportunity presented itself.

 

My Hero!

One of the worst things in life is having your car break down.  Ok, maybe I’m being over-dramatic …but you know what I mean.  You get that churning feeling of uncertainty, helplessness and frustration, plus the unforeseen and sometimes burdensome expense of having to call the tow truck to take it somewhere to get it fixed.

As you may know from my last post, I quit my nine to five.  No not Nightlights…my day job as a video production assistant.  And I must say, the first week of my new glamorous life as a full-time TV host, model, actress …was not getting off to a good start!  Let me begin…

(please note: I’m not trying to speak badly of anyone…it’s my own fault for booking these next two events back to back haha)

So I had a fashion show I booked that was scheduled to begin at midnight on Saturday.  Of course these things never start exactly on time (this is normal and I expected it).  I got home late that night around 2:00 a.m. …and had to be in Chicago to work a tradeshow by 8:30 a.m.  It takes about three hours to drive there plus I still needed time to get ready …luckily my awesome boyfriend was willing to drive me so I could sleep in the car. 

So I get all comfy and cozy in the back seat as we begin our (what I now consider to be an epic journey) …and then it happened.

We’re on the highway.  It’s about 3:00 a.m.  Just as I was on the verge of catching some much needed z’s, I feel the car begin to make a sudden jolting motion as it slowed to a complete…and utterly dead stop.  My heart sank.  Silence.     

The gas gauge in my car is broke so we thought maybe we ran out of gas.  We turned on the hazards, grabbed the gas can and started walking to the nearest gas station.  Which, as it turned out, happened to be the “always a mile away” gas station.  We swear it only looked like it was a mile away…we had just passed that exit!  Well…we ended up walking in the dark and in the cold alongside the highway for about an hour until a cop picked us up, took us the rest of the way to the station, back to our car and waited until we were back up and moving.  What’s dumb is, we were gone so long, that [interject dramatic sound: dum dum dummm] the hazard lights ran down the car battery!  He gave us a jump.  Nice guy.

But this is just the beginning…

So I get all cozy in the back seat again, happy and relieved that we are still able to make it to Chicago on time.  Just as I was about to doze off…it happened again!  By this time, I’m seriously concerned.  I heard my boyfriend pop the hood and get out of the car.  Next I hear a car pull up, then voices.  It starts getting cold.  The car starts back up.  I hear a, “thanks, man” right before my boyfriend hops back into the car and quickly takes off.  “We’re going to have to go back home and get the other car,” he tells me.   We were about 15 miles out. 

It wasn’t too long we’d been driving on our way back…when the car dies on us again!  Same thing:  Pop open the hood and wait for someone to notice my boyfriend shining a light on the jumper cables as a signal for help.  After twenty minutes of huge semi-trucks whipping past in 40 degree weather, a lady stopped.  She happened to live down the road from us, on her way home from work and promised to follow us the rest of the way.  We ended up having to get jumped two more times on the way back home.  Each time I remember waking up, it got really cold, then we’d be back up and running, the car would get warm again then I’d fall back asleep. 

We finally made it home around 5:00 a.m., switched the luggage from one car to the other, and started back up towards Chicago again in the “good” car.  About 50 miles in, the check engine light came on.  By this time we’re a little more strapped for time.  My boyfriend pulls over to a gas station to add more coolant and oil.  Trouble was… the oil cap wouldn’t budge.  He tried for about 20 minutes to no avail so then tried pouring the oil through the dip stick hole but instead of going in, the crazy wind caused the oil to spray all over the place!  (I’m sleeping through all of this of course). Haha…poor guy!

Finally, we made it to that McDonalds on the toll road right before the Chicago Skybridge…with about 15 minutes to spare!  Just enough time to freshen up, change clothes and cram down some breakfast. I was probably a site to see; sitting at the table frantically eating my greasy breakfast sandwich and applying my makeup that was spread out all over the place! Haha! I made it to my next gig right on the dot! Frazzled haired, dark under eye circles, wind burned skin and all!  I looked rough…kind of like I’d walked an hour in the cold wind on the highway and then half slept in the back of a car the rest of what was left of the night! lol But at least I made it!

On the way to my last day of working the tradeshow (of course) …you guessed it… the car broke down!  Right on Lakeshore Drive!  We waited over an hour and a half for the tow truck to show up!  Ridiculous! After we got off the highway, I finally was able to hail a taxi to make it two hours late to the tradeshow.  Needless to say, the “good” car we drove to Chicago was completely junked.  Another long story short, we rented a car to make it back home (which in hind sight is what we should have done in the first place!)  So, after both our cars fizzling out at the same time … we needed to figure out transportation to be able to drive BACK to Chicago to return the rental and expedite this car.   

A few days prior to this Chicago trip, we discovered this really amazing car service called My Car Doc.  They will come to YOU to fix your car!  It’s like having your own personal mechanic! YAY!  I can’t tell you, ladies especially, how many times I’ve broke down on the side of the road by myself… almost in tears feeling completely helpless and hating the thought of having to spend money on getting my car towed.  But now I know about My Car Doc!  All I have to do is call them if I’m having an emergency and they will come to my rescue! They’ll fix my car and get me back on my way!   They also perform regularly scheduled maintenance on your vehicle at your home or work…so it’s really convenient, especially for us busy types!

So driving on our way back from Chicago, we call up John, the owner of My Car Doc.  We tell him our situation and he agrees to work on our car so that when we arrive home, the car will be fixed and we can drive it back to Chicago to finish up this rigmarole of a situation we’ve been in for the past three days!  It was great!  Saved us a bunch of time, stress, energy and it was so nice to have that sigh of relief and peace of mind knowing we had a working vehicle to come home to!      

Thank you My Car Doc!

… so you’ve caught a peek into my current reality! Lol. My life isn’t always as glamorous as people might think! But it’s ok because someday I’ll be hosting a party up in my L.A. penthouse, toasting to some grand occasion…recalling this story and laughing over a glass of champagne! 

Chase your dreams! 

Cheers,

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

My life isn’t always as glamorous as people might think!

PINK Hair for Hope & Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Shoot with Fashion Wrap Up

...just moments before I stabbed the male model lifting me up in the foot with my stilletto...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – and of course one of the big trends for supporting the fight for the cure is getting the Pink Hair for Hope. Yes, the infamous pink streaks in your hair! This year I found myself much more aware of the cause, mainly because my Aunt was recently diagnosed. She’s now in remission, which is good, but doesn’t necessarily mean everything is fine and dandy.

 

Michael Baker: #1 Cold Fusion Artist in the Nation

So in an effort to help in the fight for the cure, I teamed up with my hair sponsor, Michael-Warrens Salon. The salon is based in Elkhart, Indiana but Michael travels all over teaching the art of hair extensions. He’s the # 1 Cold Fusion artist in the Nation! Ladies, I’ve had hot-glue bonds in my hair before…and they were terrible (those were not by Michael-Warrens by the way!) The Cold Fusion method uses ultrasound waves – NO HEAT – so it’s less damaging and it’s more natural looking! Plus they last longer!

 

I met up with Michael in Chicago several weeks ago for a hair show with the internationally famous celebrity hair stylist, Nicholas French. Michael put some fabulous pink extensions in my hair for Pink Hair for Hope and then Nicholas French gave me the best cut of my life! Seriously…when he was finished…I looked at it and almost cried. I just thought it was the best my hair has ever looked… I wish I could have him cut my hair every time!

 

Me and Nicholas French

Meeting Nicholas French was quite an experience. He commanded the room and you just automatically respect – he obviously knew what he was doing. While Nicholas French was showing everyone how to cut long hair using me as a model, he proceeded to tell the class about his traveling/styling adventures – one of them being the time he did the princess’ hair. I don’t remember which princess he said…but the fact that he’d done the hair of royalty…and now he’s standing there doing my hair…I almost shed a tear again! Lol…it was an emotional day! And to top the day off…Michael named me their official Pink Hair for Hope Model!

 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE to get PINK HAIR FOR HOPE!!! When you purchase SO.CAP hair extensions during the month of October – money goes to breast cancer research. Support the cause! Help in the fight for the cure! Call Michael at Michael-Warrens Salon for complete details! (574) 294-2244

On the Runway…

Someone once told me that the older you get, the more confidence you gain. 

When I was in high school, I was really self conscious about my height.  I didn’t usually wear any kind of heel to school because I hated standing taller than everyone else.  How silly!  I love being tall and wouldn’t trade it for anything!  GIRLS…..embrace what makes you different!  It’s your unique qualities that make you beautiful! 

Marc Wayne Intimates, "Cirque du Fleur" fashion show

 

I’m so happy my dad gave me the tall gene (thanks Dad…and Happy Father’s Day!)  Otherwise…modeling on the Runway would never have been a possibility!  I’m so fortunate to have had so many great experiences and opportunities!  One of my favorite shows that I was a part of was the Marc Wayne Intimates “Cirque du Fleur” fashion show. 

“Cirque du Fleur” was so much fun!  The show took place at the W Hotel in Chicago (one of my favorite cities).  We were escorted around downtown in a really nice limo and taken to Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa where we got our hair and makeup done.  We had body guards and everything! 

Below is the video from the show…which I also hosted.  I got to do two things I love…host and model!  Although it was a first for me to host wearing lingerie haha…good times! 

 

More Runway Photos: